By Ryan Signorino
Contributing Writer
The men and women’s tennis teams were both in action over the weekend. The men recorded a victory over the Mercyhurst Lakers, while the women stumbled against Army and the University of Massachusetts.
On the men’s side, the team performed well in singles, winning all but one match. Impressive showings from sophomore Victor Blanco, senior Eduardo Irizarry, and sophomore Hector Martinez propelled the team to a 6-1 victory.
The men’s overall record improved to 2-4 on the season with their other win coming against Niagara.
“The team played very well,” said Blanco. “Everyone was playing very solid tennis that day and we always looked in control of the game so that gives us confidence for our future matches.”
Blanco said that the win gives the team confidence for its upcoming matches, especially after two rough losses the previous weekend. He also said in the matches this weekend against Binghamton and Cleveland State that the team needs to focus on winning its doubles matches.
“Even though it’s just one point, when you win the doubles point it gives you the momentum for the singles matches,” Blanco said. “It also puts some pressure on the other team.”
The women’s tennis team did not enjoy the same success as the men, losing 7-0 in both matches they played last weekend. Against Army on Friday, the doubles teams fell short on all three of their matches. Senior Mara Martinez-Santori won her first game but ended up falling in three sets.
The loss drops the women’s record to 1-5, their only win coming against Mercyhurst.
On Saturday, the team went up against UMass and struggled to win games against their strong competitors. Freshman Gabriella Bowe came closest to securing a point for the Bonnies, nearly winning the first set in her match. The doubles teams also were left searching for points, winning only two games in the three matches they played.
Next up for the men’s team are two matches over the weekend. On Saturday they will face up against Binghamton and Sunday they will play Cleveland State.
After those two contests, the Bonnies will stay at home for matchups against Wright State University and Saint Joseph’s.
Blanco said that winning both of these matches will not be an easy task, but he thinks that they will come out victorious this weekend.
“The team is looking really good and every match that we are playing we’ve been improving in our game individually and as a team,” Blanco said. “We have a good team that’s always decided to give their best in every match no matter what, and the results will start coming.”
Along with Blanco, senior Eduardo Irizarry, sophomore Hector Martinezjkl; and Miki Nobuzawa picked up straight set victories for the men’s team.
This success was not shared by the women’s team as they lost in straight sets in every match they played against UMass.
The women will look to get back on track. They have just one match this weekend, playing against Binghamton on Friday.
